Free The Girl Who Made Good in America by James G. Dow Page B

have enjoyed it much as Rangers won. However, Mr Kelly told him later that Joe had played well and had consolidated his place in the team. Martin was taken to hospital with pleurisy on the same day that Theresa went into labour. He died just hours before Theresa gave birth to a baby girl.
    A requiem mass was held for Martin McCann in recognition of his years of devoted service to the Church and particularly to the youth of St Patrick’s School. Father Gallagher gave the eulogy and confirmed that Martin had been his right hand man since arriving in Lochside.
    Theresa pulled Father Gallagher to one side at the first opportunity. I’ve been meaning to ask you for some time now, Father – what did you do with those hate mail letters?”
    “You never received any more, did you, Theresa?”
    “No, but I’m curious to know how you worked the miracle.”
    “There’s no miracle, Theresa – I simply posted them back to Sean Coyle with a note signed, ‘A real defender of the faith’.”
    One month later, the baby was baptised Patricia Mary. Theresa’s uncle, Kevin, was an enthusiastic godfather. A big party was held at Dawson’s Reception Rooms. No expense was spared. Theresa was determined that her baby daughter’s entry into society would be a memorable one. A cousin queried if such a splash was appropriate so soon after her father’s passing. Theresa firmly retorted that life is for the living.
    Hector Thomson’s Bluebirds provided music for dancing but Gavin Hamilton had a spell on piano to belt out a few jazz classics. The Lochside Chronicle reporter and photographer were in attendance. There were no surprises in the next edition. As the caption in the time-honoured tradition stated, ‘a good time was had by all.’
    Gavin Hamilton called into the Duff household the following evening. “The novel’s been selling like hot cakes. As Theresa’s told you, Alex, we have opened up a trust fund, which is now earning interest. There’s no hurry but, sometime in the future, we can put the money to good use. At the moment I have no idea what that might be. I’m open to suggestions.”
    “Well,” said Theresa, “we could perhaps finance the local choir on their journeys to competitions. They are always running raffles for that.”
    “Good one, Theresa. Lochside Thistle Pipe Band could do with new uniforms, but they are very expensive. Look, let’s leave it for a bit to see how much the trust will be worth in a few months.”
    “Good idea, Mr Hamilton. In the meantime, I’ll just jot down suggestions as they come into my head.”
    “Alex, can you convince her to stop addressing me as Mr Hamilton, especially as you always call me Gavin? After all, your wife and I are equal partners in this venture.”
    “OK, Gavin it is from now on,” said Theresa, “but only in private.”
    “Oh, by the way, I almost forgot,” said Gavin. “My publisher informed me that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer could be interested in the film rights. They’ve already put some cash down on an option to buy. They’ve also asked me to write a screen play for them. That’s something I’ve never done before but I’ve got the rest of the winter to tackle it. They’ll pay me directly for the film script but, if they like it and take up their option on the film rights, a lot of money will flow into our trust fund.”
    “My God, but you’re a cool customer, Gavin. That’s the second most exciting news I’ve ever heard and you almost forgot to tell us about it,” said Alex.
    “Only the second most exciting?” said Gavin.
    “When Theresa told me she was pregnant, that topped the bill.”
    Theresa really got a big kick out of driving that classic old Rover. Will Mowbray said she was the best pupil he’d ever had and he’d taught mainly young men how to drive the company trucks. She was a natural. Every day, she would collect her mother, drop her at the Lochside shops on the main street, where her mother would meet old friends and neighbours